Chapter 18 Undercover
Tank and Stephanie saw a Rangeman SUV waiting for them in the driveway. "Here we go," Tank said, guiding his wife towards the vehicle.
They went outside, where Hector was waiting for them. Hector patiently waited for the couple to enter the car. He smiled when Tank climbed into the back with Stephanie. "Two tickets, first-class, to New York. A car will be waiting for you when you arrive in New York. This time you two will meet Mr. Sanders," Hector told them. Tank leaned over to grab the tickets from Hector.
"Right, it looks like Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are making a comeback," Tank said as he looked across the seat at his wife.
The SUV dropped them off at Trenton Memorial Airport. Tank and Stephanie got out of the SUV and went in to catch their flight.
During their flight, Tank frequently looked at his wife carrying their baby. "I love you, Tiffany," he said.
"I love you too, Jake," she quickly reciprocated. Stephanie leaned her head against his shoulder as the plane flew toward their destination. Tank lovingly rested his hand on her abdomen.
Two hours later, they once again landed in New York City. Tank looked at his little one and kissed her softly on the lips. They walked out of the terminal and saw the limo waiting for them.
"Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, we have to make a stop, then I will drive you to the hotel, and this time it is not going to be the Ritz, so sorry about that." Stephanie took Tank's hand. "I love you," she told him.
"I love you too," Tank told her.
About twenty minutes later, they pulled up to a small building.
"Here is your stop," the driver announced. The man opened the door for Tank and Stephanie and then drove away.
Tank opened the hotel room door, Stephanie walked in, and Tank walked after her. "Do you see what I see?" Stephanie asked Tank.
"Yeah," Tank said.
"Babe?" Ranger asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Cupcake, don't I get a hug?" Morelli asked a few seconds before he saw Stephanie's baby bump. Stephanie walked up to Morelli and kneed him in the groin.
Joe hit the floor hard, clutching his crotch. Tank saw Morelli and pulled his gun out on him.
"Tank," Ranger said.
"Jake," Stephanie corrected Ranger, reminding him that they were undercover.
"Sorry little one," Tank said. Tank aimed, then fired one shot. Everybody saw the camera in the far corner fall to the ground.
Joe was still on the floor when he saw the camera with a bullet hole land beside him.
"You have got to be kidding me." Ranger walked up to the broken camera. "Now I know how Sanders knew what we were doing," Ranger said as he brought the camera up to the table.
"One freaking shot," Morelli groaned. He was shaking his head as Ranger helped Joe up. Tank put his gun away.
Morelli and Ranger took another look at Stephanie. It was then they both noticed that Stephanie was pregnant.
"The baby is mine," Morelli snapped at Ranger.
"Want to bet?" Ranger yelled at him.
"Okay, you two boys can turn down the testosterone a few notches. The bundle I am carrying is his," Stephanie said as she hitched a thumb at Tank.
"What?" Joe and Ranger said at the same time. Then it hit Stephanie as she slapped her forehead with her left hand, showcasing the engagement and wedding rings.
"Tank, I think the Restraining Order on the Joe Morelli in New Jersey is not the real Morelli."
"For real?" Morelli asked as his mouth dropped open.
"Yeah, for real, and we are really married," Tank added.
"What did I ever do to you for you to get a restraining order against me?" Joe asked.
"Well, let's see." Stephanie tapped her finger against her lip. "First, I caught you sleeping with Joyce Burnheart. I broke up with you because of that. Second, you came over to my apartment every day to get back together with me. Number three, you were following me at work. Finally, number four, one day, you tried to grab me after I told you, 'no,' in my apartment. I kicked you in your groin when you did that. He came to my rescue, and then you tapped my parents' phone line. Oh, yes, then you sent me four dozen red roses with cards saying, 'You will be mine Cupcake'." Stephanie told him.
Joe turned to Ranger and said, "I told you having him go in as my double was a bad idea." Morelli was ready to hit Ranger in the face. He was furious his double was ruining his reputation.
"Yup, it is really them," Tank said, grinning.